Activists say Syrian rebels are attacking army checkpoints in and around a key southern town that is a gateway to Damascus, The Associated Press reports.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says rebel attacks are under way in Dael and surrounding areas. The Local Coordination Committees, another activists group, says regime bombardment of Dael killed at least three people on Thursday, March 28.

Dael lies in the strategic Daraa province, which borders Jordan.

The fighting comes as Mideast powers opposed to President Bashar Assad have stepped up weapons supplies to Syrian rebels in coordination with the U.S. in preparation for a push on the Syrian capital.